​​Roots & Wings Classes - 2019-2020

​Roots & Wings is a farm-based drop off program for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The classes are mixed ages with three adults present to ensure a positive experience across the age ranges (a professional lead teacher, a professional teacher's assistant, and a classroom parent).  
Students must be enrolled for a full semester. Families can enroll for one, two, or all three semester choices at this time.

• The fall semester will run 14 weeks from the week of September 9 through the week of December 9.
• The winter mini-mester will run 6 weeks from January 13 to February 20.
• The spring semester will run 14 weeks from the week of March 2 to June 10 (there will be a week of spring break).

Tuition is $770 per full semester per day, which equates to $55/day or $9/hour. 

The course schedule for the winter mini-mester is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 to 3 as shown in the flier to the right. The course semester for the spring is expected to be similar to the fall schedule below with minor adjustments as needed. Families can enroll for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days.
The registration form for the winter is available here.  During the full semester Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the age groups will be split for an hour and a half each of the academic subject and the artistic subject. For example, kids through 7 will have Language Arts while kids 8+ will be doing music and then they will switch, a snack opportunity will be available at the switch. 

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-	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
10 to 1*	English Language Arts	Math Skills	Exploring Our World	Farm & Forest
10 to 1*	Music and Singing	Expressive Art**	Mindful Movement	Farm & Forest
1 to 2	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess	​Lunch and Recess​
2 to 4	Farm & Garden	Farm & Garden	Farm & Garden	Farm & Forest

Farm & Garden - The universal experience for Roots & Wings students will be direct engagement on the farm where we will be based! In the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday programs the last segment of the day will be spent outside learning through experience as they grow food and tend to animals using small-scale organic, regenerative agriculture techniques. We are prioritizing these experiences because we believe that: 

• farm-based education is among the most effective and promising forms of environmental, experiential, and place-based education because of the innate ability in all people to connect to farms.
• farm-based experiences promote life values by relating to the social, moral, cognitive, and emotional aspects of the human experience.
• hands-on learning on farms builds confidence, self-awareness, and individual and collective responsibility which leads to the sustainable stewardship of our world.
• there is real educational value to learning while working on a product or process that will have lasting value beyond the task at hand and that practical lessons on farms enhance and reinforce theoretical learning in schools.
• ​​farm-based education promotes respect for nature, manual work, individuals, and community.

English Language Arts​ - The weekly Language Arts program will use authentic, project based work and shared reading and writing experiences to explore a variety of forms and purposes for writing.  Mindful discussion of shared reading will build lifelong comprehension skills.  Weekly projects will include: a nature journaling practice to record both scientific observations and our heart connection to nature, farm based projects that incorporate research and sharing of information, and development of comprehension skills through picture books that appeal to all ages and weekly chapter book discussions. ​

 Music and Singing - This is a class where students will explore the art of music. Music is the universal language, capable of reaching the hearts and minds of all who listen and feel, and well-known to be a healer for the heart. In class, we will learn songs together, create harmony, explore rhythms, read music, and gain experience making music in a group setting. Students will have concerts in the winter and spring to and enjoy the celebratory nature of music with the seasons. We will also explore the variety of ways music is used as medicine, as well as gain experience making music from around the world including traditional and pop songs from a variety of cultures. This class will be an opportunity for children to gain confidence and learn to express themselves through the power of music.

Math and Thinking Skills - This class will aim to explore mathematical concepts in creative and nature-inspired ways. The approach in this class will be inspired by guided learning to help encourage retention of concepts and project creativity. Throughout the semester, children will have focused classes on mathematical operations, counting money, patterns, symmetry and more!

Expressive Art - In this class the students will learn about color, texture, layers, mediums, illusions, reflections, shapes, abstract, realism, fluid art, techniques and so much more. Here we will build confidence and awareness about ourselves, others and the world in a way not normally taught in an art class for this age group. We will take nature and zoom in! See all the colors in what seems only one color, see the patterns and see the beauty in things we may have not known how to look for before. 

Social Studies - This Fall our Social Studies class will be learning about peaceful and heroic leaders! Students will spend time researching in groups and will be completing creative, hands on projects to correspond to their assigned leaders. This class will build skills in historical biography, reading, writing, drawing, empathy, compassion, and peace building​. Given the history of the land on which the farm is located and the namesake of the farm's address we will be having a special focus on learning about the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.

Mindful Movement - This class is for kids to explore, nurture and enjoy their bodies, spirits and minds through movement and mindfulness. With fun and engaging games, yoga poses, dance, music, breathing practices and quiet meditation moments, kids will have the opportunity to increase their flexibility, balance and concentration and to grow their confidence and understanding of their own complex and wonderful nature.  As a result kids will deepen themselves in their own wonderful Universe in movement! 

Jugando en Español (Playing in Spanish) - In this class kids will play games outside in nature or inside a classroom and learn Spanish while having fun. The objective is to plant the seed of love of learning a language in a practical setting so it’s meaningful and entertained. Kids will also be exposed to different cultures in the process and will be encouraged to use their imaginations and creativity to integrate the new language into their everyday life. 

Farm & Forest - On Tuesday morning and Thursday children will learn survival skills and local ecology while deepening their connection with each other and our natural world. Shelter building, edible plants, fire making, naturalist skills and lots of room for exploration and play are a part of these part and full-day immersion classes!  Participants will learn how to cultivate nature observation, awareness and ancestral skills as they develop a passion to learn about how the world around them works and how they can use their unique interests and abilities to help make it a better place.